“I want to take you fishing!” The text lit up my phone and I smiled. I hadn’t touched a rod in a while – not since my last trip to the Marco Island Bridge with my Dad. So I was a bit nervous because I didn’t remember all the tricks to fishing – oh, and it was also a first date! But I was determined and excited.
Luckily, it was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, the lake looked clear and active, and the connection was forming. I still remember the perfectly cut green grass, the fish swimming along the bank, and the ripples out in the middle and near vegetation. Before I go any further, let me qualify this by confirming that this date sparked a passion that’s still going 8 years later!
Picking the Right First Date Idea: Fishing?
I’m an outdoor and animal lover, so the idea of fishing for a first date was quite intriguing. It was a chance to spend some time in nature while I got to know him better. And, anyway, I always like a break from the screens. (Something we all could use!)
Not to mention, tangled lines and getting stuck in trees can be so funny and romantic!
Fishing for a first date is also different and fun, not the usual dinner and drinks or movie night. As we walked the lake, my soul felt a little refreshed, also allowing me to get a feel for our chemistry. And like fishing presents, we faced unexpected obstacles that showed us we work well together.
Turning It into a Success
But that only gets you so far! Now let me describe our perfect fishing first date…
It was around a freshwater lake in our Florida hometown of Naples, on a beautiful sunny day. We packed tackle like lures, hooks, leader, a cast net, a bubbler, a bucket, our rods, and some lunch. I can remember the stunning blue skies and pretty aqua hues of the water that made it feel somewhat tropical despite being a lake.
There were plenty of fish around that day, especially Bass and Cichlids. As we laughed at our snags and random child stories (which we had plenty of), we scanned the shoreline and cast near vegetation, structure, and moving water.
“Whoa! Over here! Over here!”. I shouted.
“Where? By that grass?” he asked, as he launched his bait in front of the grass line where a fresh ripple formed. Right away – thump! I could hear the drag scream as the nice Peacock Bass ate it and thrashed in and out of the water. He fought it for a few seconds, then pulled it onto the grass. He grabbed the fish’s lip and pulled the hook out, raising it up and getting in a picture-ready position. I snapped a couple pics, and he released it – the fish giving a big kick and lightly splashing him as it swam off quickly.
We definitely learned a lot about each other as we had plenty of time to chat. He refreshed my mind of my past fishing experiences and taught me some new things – things I still remember and use today. I also admired his helpfulness, helping me any time I got stuck or snagged on something. It was something we learned we could share a passion for, really igniting a spark between us.
As we continued our fishing date, we worked together getting more wet and dirty as we caught our own live bait. We then walked down the lake and cast at different spots. My Crocs were crunching with each step on the crispy, fresh grass as I launched each bait into the water – all while keeping eye contact and maintaining a grin on my face throughout.
Every so often, one of us would hook up to another fish, putting on a show and enticing the fun, laughter, and connection. It was even more special when we both hooked up to one at the same time!
We continued on until we got hot and hungry, eventually heading to one of the shaded bench areas to have our homemade lunch. A breeze cooled us off as we ate, already reminiscing about the day’s moments and catches. Dragonflies zipped along as turtles and alligators were sunbathing nearby. After we finished lunch, we cleaned up and loaded our gear into the car. We soaked up the AC, literally sitting in front of it for a couple of minutes. The Florida heat is no joke! Eventually, we drove off, ending the date, but already discussing our next fishing adventure.
Still Going Strong: 8 Years Later and Still Fishing
We may have gotten tangled a few times and broken off on that first date, but we had an awesome time fishing together. Our bond deepened as we learned more about each other, plus we got away from all the distractions of life and soaked up nature’s amazing moments. I say that I’d 100% do it again, but I already have – many, many times. He – Kyle – is now my fiancé!
As I write this, we’re already planning our next trip together. We use platforms like FishingBooker to find new destinations to explore and fish. We’ve now fished across various US states, ranging from small freshwater ponds to deep waters of the blue sea. Now, we have our minds set on fishing in a different country – maybe Costa Rica.
One thing is for sure though, fishing has definitely been a huge part of our connection! It’s crazy to see how far we’ve come and all the fish we’ve caught together over the last 8 years. We’re grateful for every opportunity we get to spend fishing, whether on land or on the boat – every moment counts.
Have you ever been on a fishing date? Maybe you have some other unique ideas? Share away in the comments below!
